[kristy]

I'm going to be going off to college next year and I'm looking to invest in a blackberry to keep myself organized & in touch with my friends and family back home. I'm currently looking at the Blackberry7100t and the Blackberry 7230 & 7280. If anyone could please provide with information as to which is more efficient or which type would better suit my needs, I would greatly appreciate it. What exactly is the difference between the 7230 & 7280? Thank you!

[coreyg510]

Which service provider are you considering?

[kristy]

I was hoping to go to Cingular, as that would be more convenient for a family plan. Cingular does offer the 7230 & 7280, but not the 7100t. It seems like the 7100t is a bit more modern in its features though.

[azf100]

Originally Posted by kristy

I was hoping to go to Cingular, as that would be more convenient for a family plan. Cingular does offer the 7230 & 7280, but not the 7100t. It seems like the 7100t is a bit more modern in its features though.

The Cingular equivalent of the 7100t would be the 7100g, pretty much the same thing.

[coreyg510]

Go with the 8700c. I am a Cingular Sales Manager. I know first hand that if you are going to spend the money on the BB, then get the 8700c. It far exceeds the 7280, 7100g, and 7290. I have had all three and my latest is the 8700c. I wouldnt change it for the world.

[kristy]

I would probably only get the ones I mentioned because the look factor is important to me. Thanks your input though. It just seems that the 7100t is a bit better... but if they're not too different, I would want to go with the Cingular.

[coreyg510]

Then if you dont like the new looks of the 8700c, then you would be better with the 7100g. Sleek and stylish, it still looks alot like a cellphone but with all of the BB goodies packed inside.

Good luck, and at least consider the 8700c. It is a great device. Although, if your not happy with its looks, then you'll never be happy with it

[kristy]

I think I will go with the 7100. Thanks so much for your help.

[gabeosx]

Are you planning on using all of the BlackBerry features? I'm a college student and I love my BB. Nothing like chatting on AIM when you have some down time inbetween classes.

I only know 1 other college student with a BlackBerry and the only reason he has it is because the company he works for pays for his. I pay for mine, but I can only afford it because I work. It's kind of a steep investment ($50 a month on top of your phone bill unless you have a good FAN) for a college student.

[Baadshah7]

You should definitely go with the 8700c....it would be a big mistake if you don't go with it....trust me, I'm a college student, and not only do I love the device, it also turns a lot of heads! It comes very useful for assignments and due dates...you will love this device!

[donthateme13]

im a college student also and i would recommend the 8700 simply for tis full keyboard. one of the bext features is the memo pad. i use it to takes note during lecture classes as oppsed to jotting notes down in a ntoebook. its alot faster to use the bb for ur notes and you can email and edit them. also chattin on aim during boring classes is priceless ;)

[GonzotheDuck]

Looks? Wow, to be in College again and worried about turning heads and how COOL my BlackBerry looks instead of if it actually meets my needs.

A LITTLE bit af advice. Going to College will teach you this, I HOPE, but you are getting close to being out in the real world. It is time to put childish things away and start making decisions based on sound reasoning. I know it is no fun, but it is reality. Forget looks. Go with functionality. For what you will be using it for, the full keyboard is probably your best bet.

[ScottE22]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7130e/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

I have to agree with the above reasoning. I got the 7130 because the form factor was the most important thing to me - not the looks, but the ability to out it comfortably in a pocket (plus the 8700 is not available on VZW). I still have BB envy when I are folks with the 8700.

Edited to add: I also inadvertently demonstrated another plus of the 8700 over the 7130... I've gotten very good with SureType, but as I typed the message above, I missed two mistakes... "out" should be "put" and "are" should be "see."